Assessment of Wastewater Toxicity by Vibrio fischeri Bioassay

Pramod W. Ramteke, Alka Sagar, M. P. Singh

Abstract


Increased industrialization and urbanization created ecological and toxicological problems from the release of toxic contaminants into the environment. Conventional toxicity bioassays that use animals are time consuming and expensive. The V. fischeri bioassay in which the inhibition of  light emission by V. fischeri is considered a rapid, sensitive and simple test for toxicity as compared to other biological methods and assays using algae, protozoa and fish which require 7-10 days. In the present study the suitability of V. fischeri bioassay for the evaluation of toxicity of municipal and industrial wastewater in Allahabad (India) was conducted. Twenty five municipal wastewater streams in city of Allahabad and industrial wastewater from electronic component manufacturing unit with electroplating were evaluated for toxicity using V. fischeri bioassay. The majority (88%) of tested municipal wastewater samples were found to be highly toxic (EC50) in summer as compared to monsoon season. Untreated industrial wastewater showed high toxicity (EC50 <10) as compared to treated wastewater (EC50 <51-75). The results indicated that the V. fischeri bioassay test is sensitive and suitable for evaluating the toxicity of wastewaters and other contaminants.

Keywords


Wastewater; Vibrio fischeri Bioassay, Toxicity

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